Garment hanger



B. T. PETTY GARMENT HANGER July 4, 1939.

Fild Feb. 10, 1936 Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to garment hangers, and in some of its aspects is especially suitable for hangers for displaying dresses. In its illustrated forms the hanger may be made mainly or entirely from wire, and therefore it can be manufactured very economically, although other materials may be used if preferred.

Wire hangers have been known for many years and have been in very common use. Nevertheless, they have had several faults which have not heretofore been overcome, and some of which may not have been even recognized. One of these faults is the tendency of the clothes hung on the hanger, especially silk dresses and the like,

to slide on the hanger and either fall off or be unattractively bunched together. According to the present invention, slipping of the dress on the hanger has been minimized by providing a friction device or a clamp or a positive stop for holding the dress in place.

Another fault in prior art hangers was the difiiculty of getting hangers, wire or otherwise, into a dress having a comparatively small neck, the length of the hanger from the hook at the center to either end being too great to pass through the neck easily after the first side of the hanger was in place. It has often been necessary to stretch or unfasten the neck, and either practice would be likely to get the dress dirty or shopWbrn. This difficulty has been overcome by extending the hook up from a point decidedly removed from the center of the hanger so that the long side of the hanger may be put into the dress first and then the short side of the hanger may easily be passed through the neck.

Another fault heretofore found in hangers was that a. hanger designed for a rod could not easily be hung on a shelf. Of course it has been common practice to twist the hook of a hanger so that it would hang on a shelf, but after this was done if the hanger were then hung ona rod, the hook would naturally settle to a position perpendicular to the rod, but the rest of the hanger would be in a twisted position.

The hanger of this invention has been made suitable for hanging on a shelf or ledge and alternatively on a rod by bending the end of the hook to one side, out of the plane of the hanger, while leaving the rest of the hook in the plane of of the hanger. This also largely overcomes another difilculty, namely that of displaying both the front and back of a dress, because when the hanger may be hung with the tip of the hook resting on a shelf or ledge, it may be easily rotated to show both sides of the dress. The end of the hook may be pointed to facilitate this rota.- tion and to prevent the hanger from slipping. In order that the hanger will be properly balanced both on a pole and on a shelf, the top of the hook and its point are both at or near the longitudinal center of the hanger.

Various objects of the invention are evident from the foregoing discussion, and further objects will appear from the detailed description below. In summary, it may be stated that the main objects of the invention are to provide a hanger, preferably at low cost, which is better from any or all of the standpoints of reliability in holding the dress, ease in applying to the dress, and ability to hang properly under different conditions, as both on a. pole and a shelf.

In the drawing, in which are shown several forms of the invention chosen for illustration:

Fig. l is an elevational view showing the form of the invention which at present is preferred for general use.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a hanger which is especially suitable for sleeveless dresses or dresses with very short sleeves.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a slightly modified form of hanger.

Fig. 4 is a. similar view of a hanger which is similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 5. and 6 are fragmentary views showing a possible modification of any of the hangers, particularly the hangers of Figs. 1 and 4; and

, Fig. '7 is a fragmentary end view of any of the hangers showing the bend provided at the end of each hook.

Although this invention may take numerous forms, only a few have been chosen for illustration. In. all of these forms the hanger is preferably supported by a hook H which extends in an upwardly inclined direction from a point [2 which is considerably to one side of the longitudinal center of the hanger. Both the top [3 of the hook and the tip M of the hook should preferably be positioned quite close to the longitudinal center of the hanger, and in all cases they may both be positioned exactly at the center, as seen in Fig. 3. This has the distinct advantage that the hanger will be balanced when hung either on a pole or on a shelf.

The upper part of the hook is in the plane of the hanger, but the tip portion is bent so that the tip is considerably off-set from the plane of the hanger and of the top of the hook, as seen in Fig. 7. This off-set tip will permit it to be hung on a shelf [5. The tip l4 may desirably be pointed or rounded so that when it is resting on a shelf, the hanger may be rotated about this point quite easily, and if it is pointed, it will stick into the shelf so that it will not slip therefrom. The tip may also be prevented from slipping by providing it with a sharp edge at its bottom, though this will not facilitate its turning.

In Fig. 1 the hanger comprises for the most part a simple loop of wire l6 having the shoulder portions l1 and I8. One end of the wire may be extended to form the hook H. However, it is also preferably provided with an upstanding hump I9, the purpose of which is to prevent the shoulder strap of a dress, once it is properly positioned on the hanger, from sliding toward the center of the hanger. The hook M will prevent the other shoulder strap from sliding toward the center of the hanger so that the dress will be quite reliably positioned under ordinary circumstances. If anything should happen so that the shoulder strap on the hanger shoulder lE should shift toward the center of the hanger and permit the shoulder strap on the hanger shoulder It to slide ofi, the hump l9 would prevent the first mentioned shoulder strap from sliding back to ward the right hand end of the hanger, and would thus prevent the dress from falling to the floor. As a further safeguard, the end of the wire loop l6 which is not extended to form the hook may be extended to form a handle or resilient clamp 2| on which is preferably positioned a length of rubber tubing 22 or other frictionizing material. If the rubber tubing is positioned as shown, the clamp 2 l, which may terminate above 7 the shoulder l8, presses the rubber tubing 22 against the shoulder l8, thus clamping any dress on said shoulder exactly in the desired position without injuring the same. Of course the rubber could be replaced by a spring or other member, preferably resilient.

The clamp 2| also forms a convenient handle for lifting the hanger. It is especially satisfactory for this purpose, since it is inclined and is thus easily grasped by a person reaching up. It is difficult for a person having his hand raised considerably above his elbow to grasp a horizontal handle. Another reason that the handle is especially suitable is that it is spaced far enough above the shoulder I8 so that the user may grasp the handle without touching the dress on the hanger. In other words, there is room between the handle portion of the rubber tube 22 and the adjacent portion of the shoulder |8 for the insertion of the operators fingers. To get the best spring action on the clamp 2|, it is preferred that the hook ll be carried upwardly with little or no twisting from the point l2 and that the wire forming the clamp 2| be bent several revolutions around the hook. This permits the use of all of these revolutions in the resilient action. Of course the wires may be secured in any manner, and for some purposes welding might be preferred. Instead of the long handle 2|, the wire which forms it may be out shorter and formed into a small loop adjacent the hook I I and to which a shoulder shield may be pivoted.

The form of hanger shown in Fig. 4 is quite similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that a plate 26 has been substituted for or attached to the hump I9. This plate may serve the same purpose as the hump l9 and in addition may serve as a name plate or it may carry such other identification or information as may be desired. also, the single wire 2% of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a looped wire 2'! and the rubber tube 22' has been shown as only a small length. The loop 27 has an advantage over the clamp or handle 2| in that it may be stronger if both ends of the loop are twisted around the hook II or, in any event, it permits a firmer grasp to be taken of the handle.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 is especially suitable for hanging sleeveless or very short sleeved dresses. It may be formed of one piece of wire by bending the wire double to form the tip Id of the hook and extending the two ends of the wire in opposite directions to form the upper shoulders 3|. The portion of each wire beyond the shoulder 3| may be bent as seen clearly in Fig. 2, to form the extension loop 32, the lower shoulder portion 33, and the hook 34 which is removably hooked over the upper shoulder portion 3|. This hanger may be used as an ordinary hanger without unhooking the hooks 34, in which case the hooks 34 serve the same purpose as the hump H3 in preventing the shoulder straps of the dress from sliding toward the center of the hanger, However, with the sleeveless and the short sleeved dress, the hooks 34 will usually be released from the members 3| and inserted through the shoulder straps of the dress so that the shoulder straps are positioned on the lower shoulder portions 33 of the hanger. The hooks 34 are then again hooked over the portions 3| and each shoulder strap is secured within a closed loop of the wire as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. To be sure that the shoulder strap does not slip down into the loop 32, frictionizers 36 such as short lengths of rubber tubing may be provided as shown.

When this hanger is to be used for a dress with short sleeves, it may be used in the same way as discussed above, except that the short sleeves will hang down into the loops 32. If desired, the frictionizers 36 may be slid up away from the point shown while the sleeves are inserted into the loop and then the frictionizers may be slid back to a position near but above that shown, where they will engage the dress and hold it in place.

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 except that instead of having a double wire hook II, the single piece of wire begins at the point I4 and, after extending through the whole hanger, terminates with a hook 31 which hooks around the bottom of the hook H. Since the hooks 34 are not present in this form, a hump |9 may be provided in the long upper shoulder portion of the, hanger. If the upper wires of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 are not to be used as hangers, i. e. if only the lower shoulder portions 33 or 33 are to be used, the upper wires may extend horizontally or upwardly to hold the lower shoulder portions higher than as shown. In this case the hump l9 would be omitted.

In Figs. and 6, I have shown a slight modification that may be used with any of the forms of the invention in which a button 4| is secured to the hump l9. This button may be secured either by having a headed stem around which the wire forming the hump is wrapped, or by being soldered or welded to the hump. Of course it may also be soldered or welded to the side of each of the two hooks 34 in such position as not to interfere with the operation of said hooks. These buttons 4| may bear any desired insignia or may simply be ornamental.

Although the slanting type of hook has been shown in all forms of the invention, it should be noted that the conventional type of hook rismay be provided if preferred. This is especially true in the Fig. 2 and 3 forms of the invention, in which shoulder straps are usually inserted over and held in place on the lower shoulder members 33'. Even with the dress thus supported, the side-positioned hook has a special advantage in permitting the top of the hook to be lower while maintaining adequate clearance below it to permit passing the hook over a pole.-

A discussion of the operation of the hanger is hardly necessary', but it may be mentioned that the hangers are very easily inserted into a dress by inserting the long end of the hanger first as far as it will o, so that the second shoulder of the dress may be pulled over the shorter end of the hanger with ease, without stretching or unfastening the neck. The first shoulder of the dress is then slipped back to the proper position where it is held in place by the hump H3 or one of the hooks 34. In the case of the hangers shown in Figs. 2 and 3, if they are to be used in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, the dress may be applied with almost equal ease since it is merely necessary to unhook the hooks 34, or the hook 31, and pass the shoulder straps of the dress over the loose ends of the wire.

This description has referred constantly to dresses, but it is of course obvious that the hanger may be used for any other garments as well. Although only a few embodiments of my invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that I am not limited thereby, but limit my invention only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hanger including a hook and shoulder portions extending outwardly therefrom, and a raised portion on one of said shoulder portions positioned within and close to the neck line of the garment for which said hanger is adapted, for minimizing the tendency of the garment to slip on said shoulder portions, said book being similarly positioned on the other shoulder and minimizing the tendency of the garment to slide thereon.

2. A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming an upper garment support, doubled under and back to form a pair of normally closed loops, the lower portions of said loops forming lower supports for the shoulder straps of a garment, and each of said lower portions being removably secured to another part of the hanger by an open hook and when released permitting the insertion of the shoulder straps.

3. A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming an upper garment support, doubled under and back to form a pair of normally closed loops, the lower portions of said loops forming lower supports for the shoulder straps of a garment, and each of said lower portions being removably secured to another part of the hanger by an open hook formed on said portion and when released permitting the insertion of the shoulder straps.

4. A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming an upper garment support, doubled under and back to form a pair of normally closed loops, the lower portions of said loops forming lower supports for the shoulder straps of a garment, and each of said lower portions being removably secured to another part of the hanger by an open hook formed on said portion approximately at the neck line of the garment to be hung and when released permitting the insertion of the shoulder straps.

5., A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming a garment support doubled under and back to form loops, the lower portions of said loops forming supports for the shoulder straps of a garment, said loops being extended downwardly at their ends to accommodate the sleeves of a garment.

6. A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming a garment support doubled under and back to form loops, the lower portions of said loops forming supports for the shoulder straps of a garment, said loops being extended downwardly at their ends to accommodate the sleeves of a garment, and frictionizer members positioned on the outer side of said loops for engaging the inner sides thereof to prevent the shoulder straps of the garment from sliding down into said extensions.

7. A garment hanger including laterally extending wires forming a garment support doubled under and back to form loops, the lower portions of said loops forming supportsfor the shoulder straps of a garment, said loops being extended downwardly at their ends to accommodate the sleeves of a garment, and frictionizer membersmovably positioned on the outer side of said loops for engaging the inner sides thereof to prevent the shoulder straps of the garment from sliding down into said extensions.

BYRON T. PETTY. 

